Managing Anger in the Workplace; Strategies and Precautions
Conflict within a work environment doesn’t always have to be detrimental. However, minor disagreements can escalate if they are left unaddressed. The key to managing anger effectively lies in prevention. It’s crucial to identify anger issues and address them before they intensify. Workplace anger often serves as a symptom of underlying problems like conflicts, job dissatisfaction, stress, depression or feeling undervalued.
Many workplace disputes arise from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of comments made. When employers face challenges in facilitating compromise between employees involved in a dispute mediation can be a tool for managing the situation. Mediation involves assisting employees in sharing their perspectives exploring the issues at hand and finding solutions. Ultimately this fosters understanding while repairing relationships. Enabling employees to collaborate effectively going forward.
Employers should establish policies or codes of conduct that outline expected employee behaviour while also highlighting actions that are considered unacceptable such, as physical aggression. These policies should also specify the consequences that come with violating these standards including measures. In situations where anger turns into problems, like physical aggression or violence towards co-workers it is appropriate to treat such behaviour as a severe violation. Moreover employers should ensure that all employees are aware of protocols for resolving disputes and complaints including policies and procedures for addressing grievances, bullying and harassment. Managers should receive training to recognise warning signs of anger like outbursts. Be equipped with conflict resolution skills. They should feel confident in intervening when they notice indications of anger by engaging in private conversations or informal discussions to explore potential underlying issues or the need for anger management training or counselling.
Proactively providing anger management training to all employees can help them address anger issues before they escalate. It also equips co-workers and managers with the ability to identify signs of anger and aggression and use strategies to defuse situations. Additionally assertiveness training can empower individuals dealing with anger problems to handle circumstances confidently positively and efficiently. Employers can further support employees by offering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides the mental health support and a safe environment for discussing and managing sources of anger both inside and, outside the workplace.
However, when a situation has the potential to harm others, including when an employee is displaying anger employers should consider involving law enforcement and reaching out to the employees emergency contact in order to promptly de-escalate the situation. The Benefits of Anger Management, in the Workplace managing anger and frustration in order to promote productive collaboration with co-workers is an essential skill that every employee is expected to possess. Individuals who struggle with anger management often face difficulties in their lives. It may even put their employment at risk.
Anger management serves as a tool that helps employees navigate their emotions, anger, stress and irritation in a positive and constructive manner. This skill empowers employees to maintain their composure effectively express their thoughts and engage in professional conflict resolution. Ultimately this fosters an environment to working relationships. Creating relationships, within the workplace contributes to a work environment, which leads to increased employee satisfaction improved well being and heightened productivity.
It’s worth noting that the way you deliver your message is just as important as the message itself. Assertive communication emphasises directness and respectfulness ensuring the delivery. Engaging in aggressive communication styles can distract attention from the actual message due to an excessive focus, on delivery tactics. The way you communicate can be categorised into passive behaviour. If you tend to be passive it might make you seem timid or excessively compliant always avoiding conflicts. However, this approach can give the impression that your thoughts and feelings are less important, than others which can result in your needs and desires being overlooked. On the hand displaying behaviour can make you appear domineering disregarding others perspectives and coming off as self righteous. This kind of aggression often leads to resentment. It also hampers trust and mutual respect.
When it comes to passive aggressive behaviour our communication involves indirectly expressing anger or frustration. It includes saying yes when you mean no using sarcasm or resorting to actions of direct confrontation. People tend to become passive aggressive when they feel uncomfortable expressing their needs and emotions.
Over time this style of communication can harm relationships by obstructing the fulfilment of goals and needs.
So what does Assertiveness involve?
Being assertive means confidently. Positively standing up for your beliefs while respecting the rights of others and maintaining a professional demeanour. It strikes a balance, between addressing your needs while considering the rights and needs of others.
For instance if someone criticises you in a meeting it would be assertive to address the critic. Express your discomfort, with being singled out and state that you prefer to discuss concerns than in a group setting. The importance of assertiveness cannot be overstated. It is a skill that earns respect from others boosts self esteem and helps reduce anxiety and stress. Numerous studies have shown that assertiveness training can significantly lower anxiety levels.
It is a tool, for expressing oneself maintaining a strong position and demonstrating empathy and professionalism yet have a level of control. This is particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with saying no and taking on responsibilities that may lead to stress.
While some people naturally display assertiveness it is also a skill that can be developed and refined by others. Exhibiting confidence by making eye contact and displaying body language is a key display of assertiveness. Assertive communication is an diplomatic style rooted in respect. It showcases self respect by empowering individuals to stand up for their interests while effectively expressing their thoughts and emotions. Moreover it demonstrates an understanding of peoples rights and a willingness to collaborate in resolving conflicts.
Being means finding a balance between respecting others rights and effectively communicating your stance. It paves the way for win win solutions during conflicts when both parties are willing to engage in discussion. Moreover assertiveness is crucial for leadership as it promotes fairness while upholding standards. To illustrate behaviour in the workplace lets consider this example; expressing your opinion directly. This means articulating your disagreement with a new policy without leaving any room, for ambiguity.
Balancing Individual Recognition and Teamwork;
Acknowledging both team accomplishments without overshadowing. How to Cultivate Assertiveness? Use “I” Statements; Express yourself respectfully using statements that focus on your own perspective instead of placing blame or passing judgment. Recognising errors while holding others accountable for their actions is healthy when it comes to anger management. You can also promote Inclusivity; Engaging others in the decision making process to achieve solutions.
Practice Sustaining Eye Contact; Maintain eye contact to convey confidence and approachability.
Leverage Body Language; Adopt relaxed and open body language while refraining from engaging in distracting behaviours. Learn the Art of Saying No; Practice firmly and respectfully asserting yourself when necessary by saying no when appropriate. Rehearse Conversations; Prepare for conversations, in advance allowing you to refine your assertiveness through practice.
Manage Your Emotions; Keep control during conversations avoiding aggressive responses.
Anger Management for Aggressive Individuals
Acknowledge Their Feelings; Recognise their emotions even if they are expressed aggressively. Pause Before Responding; Take a moment before responding to outbursts in order to prevent reacting. For individuals who tend to be passive;
Encourage their participation by seeking their opinions. Show interest, through body language, such as nodding, smiling and maintaining eye contact. Developing assertiveness is a skill that empowers communication boosts self esteem and promotes respectful interactions both at work and in everyday life. The challenge lies in the fact that hearted individuals often fear jeopardising their kindness. They find satisfaction in being amiable. Hesitate to engage in conversations for fear of losing their amicability. Assertiveness emerges as a solution to help these hearted individuals transition from niceness to genuine goodness.
Assertiveness adds a dimension to our interactions that niceness cannot achieve. It enables us to address aspects within our relationships bringing depth and fulfilment. The rewarding relationships thrive when we engage as equals acknowledging both virtues and flaws in each other while recognising our strengths and weaknesses. Navigating these challenges fosters profound significance, within our relationships. However, this becomes unattainable if we cling solely to the desire of being nice.
Becoming more assertive gives us the tools to embark on transformative journeys, alongside the people in our lives. It allows us to express ourselves and take actions that can positively impact both parties and even the world. Assertiveness goes beyond niceness. Helps us embody genuine goodness.
Why is developing assertiveness so difficult?
Two main factors hinder individuals from embracing assertiveness; fear and a lack of knowledge. Often kind hearted individuals lean towards being agreeable because they fear conflict and confrontation. They worry that expressing their thoughts might jeopardise their relationships. The fear of disapproval, anger or retaliation from others looms large. Some might naturally avoid conflict while others may be driven by apprehension, timidity or a desire to avoid the time consuming nature of conversations. All these factors contribute to reinforcing patterns of avoidance, in relationships making it hard to break free.
The second challenge lies in a lack of knowledge. Many people don’t have the skills for initiating conversations effectively. People often struggle to find the words express their emotions confidently and predict how conversations will unfold. The good news is that addressing the concern, which’s the lack of knowledge can be relatively straightforward. By learning and applying communication techniques one can improve their assertiveness. However, overcoming the obstacle, fear is more difficult. Nonetheless enhancing communication skills can boost confidence and help, in conquering fear.
Differentiating Assertiveness from Aggressiveness. It is essential to distinguish between being assertive and being aggressive. Aggressive individuals often overpower those with hearts. Dysfunctional relationships are typically characterised by individuals who prioritise their own desires without considering the consequences or damage to relationships they may cause. Aggressive people may act without regard for others. Resort to intimidation tactics to achieve their goals. Some may behave like tantrum throwing toddlers while others engage in bullying or intimidation.
While some aggressive individuals may not consciously realise the impact of their behaviour and act out of habit or conditioned responses others intentionally use aggression to exert control over others. In either case assertiveness can play a role in helping these individuals recognise the repercussions of their actions and potentially transform into contributors, within organisations and relationships.
Being assertive allows individuals to address their actions in an strategic way. On the hand those who rely on aggression intentionally need assertiveness to protect their dignity and uphold their rights. Assertiveness empowers individuals to stand up for themselves and resist being dominated by counterparts. It equips them with the tools to maintain their integrity while demanding respect.
Developing assertiveness effectively can be achieved through four steps for individuals who tend to be more accommodating;
Building Self Confidence; hearted individuals may struggle with assertiveness due, to self esteem and self worth. Overcoming the fear of being disliked or disapproved of is crucial by focusing on growth than short term perceptions from others. Appreciating Others; Genuine assertiveness requires an appreciation for others. When individuals genuinely care about someone they prioritise that persons well being above their discomfort or feelings. This means valuing the interests and future of others, over emotional reactions.
Empathy; Take a moment to imagine how you would want others to respond if you were engaging in self behaviour. Being assertive comes from wanting to help and guide others when it involves discussing uncomfortable truths. Improve your communication skills by learning how to initiate conversations, in a manner. This involves choosing your words expressing emotions with confidence and keeping the focus on outcomes. By following these steps people can gradually develop their assertiveness, which leads to more meaningful relationships while staying true, to themselves.
David Alssema is a Body Language Expert and Motivational Speaker. As a performer in the personal development industry in Australia he has introduced and created new ways to inspire, motivate and develop individuals.
David Alssema started his training career with companies such as Telstra and Optus Communications, and then developed Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) within workplace training as principal of Paramount Training & Development.
As an author/media consultant on body language and professional development David has influenced workplaces across Australia. He contributes to Media such as The West Australian, ABC Radio, Australian Magazines and other Australia Media Sources.
